Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1887-11-24

north rooms on the lower floor arc oc-
cupied with the relics and memorials
of Lincoln. about two thousand in ALL
and onsi~ting of several old pieces OF
furniture used by tho family-the old
cooking stove, which cooked the last
meal eaten by the President and his
family before starting for Washingtoni
law books and Office furniturc; the old
family cradle which Robert heard the
lullaby from his mothers lips; numer-
GUS small articles of small actual value,
but valuable as relics; copies of all the
memorials, addresses and resolutions
of coincidence sent to Mrs. Lincoln
from all parts Of tho worldi
all tho biographies of Lincolni
copies of tho comic and serious pictures
of the war period and Mr.. Lincoln; q
stand made of wood taken from Lin
coins boarding house at old Salient
campaign badges and devices
of all sorts; 250 medals OF
every conceivable design; busts both
small and large; letters from Grant,
Hancock, Norton, Wade and hundreds
of other illustrious men, testifying to
the greatness Of Lincoln; bits of Lin
coins garments, and other things toe
numerous to mention. The house is
now occupied by o. IL 0idroyd, d
local merchant He moved into the
house about two years ago. DR.. Wen
landt lived in it before Mr.. Oldroyd,
and before Dr. Wcnlandt, Colonel
Harlow. formerly Secretary of State,
occupied it for many years. Mr.. Old
royd was originally from Ohio coming
to Springfield about sixteen years ago.
He served in Company E of the Twen-
tieth Ohio regiment in the rebellion.
he has always had disposition for
collecting relies. and began TO humor
this characteristic back in the COS by
collecting old firearms, swords and
battle mementocs. When Lincoln
died, he began the work of getting to-
gethcr any thing and every thing per-
tanning to the President He has
steadily gone on adding, until to-day
he has large and valuable collection.
He understood some ii me before the
meeting of the last legislature what
Robert Lincoln's intentions were in
reference to the final disposition of the
property. and went to work to bring
it about. A resolution was offered by
Representative Bogartus. at the sug-
gestion of Mr.. 0ldroyd. for the pur-
pose of ascertaining upon what terms
the State could acquire possession Of
the old Lincoln homestead and also OF
the memorial collection now In the
house. A committee was appointed,
with Representative Bogartus as chair
man, TO see Mr.. Lincoln and ascertain
his wishes. and also what terms coult
be made with Mr.. Oldroyd for keeping
his collection in the house. Mr. Lin
coin agreed to deed the property to
the State upon condition that the
property should be preserved,
kept in order. and free o.
access to all who wished &c
visit 1t. Mr.. Oldroyd told tho commit
tee that, if he were appointed custo
dian, he would keep his collection In
the house and deed the property to the
State at his death. He also said that
he would expect a salary of 81, 800 a
year. The committees report was ac-
cepted, and resolution was intro
duced accepting Mr. Lincoln's prop
osition and providing for the retention
of the Oldroyd collection in the house,
although not naming Mr.. Oldroyd as
custodian. The resolution had
reached a second reading in the Sen.
ate, when Senator Curtiss offered a
substitute. which provided that the
custodian should be crippled Illinois
soldier. This failed, and the bill
passed rs originally introduced. =
Chicago Cor. Des Moines (La) Regis
ter.